Lynne Cohen

Lynne Cohen portrait
Lynne Cohen

(b. 1944 Racine, Wisconsin – 2014 Montreal, Quebec)

Lynne Cohen is known for her photographs of domestic and institutional interior spaces, which have included men’s clubs, living rooms, beauty salons, retirement homes and banquet halls, laboratories, lobbies, classrooms, offices, showrooms, shooting ranges, factories, spas, and military installations. A recipient of numerous awards of merit, including the Governor General’s Award in Visual Arts and Media Arts (Canada) in 2005 and the inaugural Scotiabank Photography Award in 2011, her work received much critical acclaim for her highly innovative and rigorous process. 

Trained as a sculptor and printmaker, when Pop Art and Minimalism were dominant in the art world, Cohen focused from the start on the way things appear and function in our lives.  She had a long-standing interest in the artificial and the everyday and aimed to exhibit the strangeness and contradictions of everyday world.  Her work is especially striking because of the mysterious nature of the places she photographs, in many cases places with odd symmetries, repetitions and absurd disjunctions of scale.  This results in images that look like theatre sets or constructions, even like artists’ installations.  “I feel”, she once observed, “that the world can’t be like it is. It seems full of finished works of art”.

Lynne Cohen – FOMU Exhibition , 2020

Available Artworks

Untitled 1970’s, 2005

Untitled 1970’s, 2005

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 4 18” x 20”
Untitled 1980’s, 2005

Untitled 1980’s, 2005

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 4 18” x 20”
Untitled 1980’s, 2005

Untitled 1980’s, 2005

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 4 18” x 20”
Untitled 1980’s, 2005

Untitled 1980’s, 2005

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 4 18” x 20”
Military Installation , 1990s

Military Installation , 1990s

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 10 30" x 36"
Untitled 1990’s, 2005

Untitled 1990’s, 2005

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 4 18” x 20”
Untitled 1990’s, 2005

Untitled 1990’s, 2005

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 4 18” x 20”
Untitled 1990’s, 2005

Untitled 1990’s, 2005

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 4 18” x 20”
Untitled 2000’s, 2005

Untitled 2000’s, 2005

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 4 18” x 20”
Loan Office, Louisville, KY, 1973

Loan Office, Louisville, KY, 1973

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 20 30" x 36"
Untitled 1980’s, 2005

Untitled 1980’s, 2005

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 4 18” x 20”
Model Living Room, 1976
Model Living Room, 1976

artwork detail

Model Living Room, 1976

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 20 30" x 36"
Classroom/ Laboratory, 1987

Classroom/ Laboratory, 1987

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 5/10 30" x 36"
Laboratory, 1996

Laboratory, 1996

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print 28.5" x 32.5"
Spa, 1996

Spa, 1996

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print ed. of 10 30" x 36"
Hat Trees, 1978

Hat Trees, 1978

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print ed. of 10 43.5" x 51.5"
Hall, 1982/2000

Hall, 1982/2000

Lynne Cohen
dye coupler print ed. of 5 43.5" x 52"
Untitled, 2008

Untitled, 2008

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 52” x 61.75”
Spa, 2002

Spa, 2002

Lynne Cohen
dye coupler print, ed. of 5 50” x 60”
Untitled, 2007

Untitled, 2007

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 52” x 61.75”
Lynne Cohen Military Installation 2000
Military Installation, 2000

Military Installation, 2000

Lynne Cohen
dye coupler print, ed. of 5 56” x 68”
Untitled, 2011

Untitled, 2011

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 3 76.5” x 91.25”
Untitled, 2010

Untitled, 2010

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 43” x 50.75”
Untitled, 2009

Untitled, 2009

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 43” x 50.75”
Untitled, 2012

Untitled, 2012

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 43” x 52”
Spa, 1999

Spa, 1999

Lynne Cohen
dye coupler print, ed. of 5 44” X 51.75”
War Game, 2001

War Game, 2001

Lynne Cohen
dye coupler print, ed. of 5 56” x 68”
Untitled 2012
Untitled, 2012

Untitled, 2012

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 52” x 62”
Laboratory 1999
Laboratory, 1999

Laboratory, 1999

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 5 49” x 58”
Untitled 2007
Untitled, 2007

Untitled, 2007

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 52" x 61.75"
Spa 1991
Spa, 1991

Spa, 1991

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 10 43.5” x 50.5”
Untitled 2005
Untitled, 2005

Untitled, 2005

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 5 47” x 57.5”
Laboratory 1999
Laboratory, 1999

Laboratory, 1999

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 5 50.5” x 59.75”
Untitled 2005
Untitled, 2005

Untitled, 2005

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 5 52” x 61.5”
Spa 1993/1994
Spa, 1993/1994

Spa, 1993/1994

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 10 43.5” x 50.5”
Hall 2001
Hall, 2001

Hall, 2001

Lynne Cohen
dye coupler print, ed. of 5 47.25” x 59”
Police Range 1990
Police Range, 1990

Police Range, 1990

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 8 43.5” x 57.5”
Spa 2002
Spa, 2002

Spa, 2002

Lynne Cohen
dye coupler print, ed. of 5 47.75” x 58.25”
Spa 2001
Spa, 2001

Spa, 2001

Lynne Cohen
dye coupler print, ed. of 5 47.5” x 57.75”
Laboratory 2005
Laboratory, 2005

Laboratory, 2005

Lynne Cohen
dye coupler print, ed. of 5 55.25” x 67.5”
Classroom 1991
Classroom, 1991

Classroom, 1991

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 10 43.5” x 50.5”
Spa 2001
Spa 2001

Spa 2001

Lynne Cohen
dye coupler print, ed. of 5 56” x 68”
Untitled Judd 2008
Untitled, 2008

Untitled, 2008

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 39.5” x 46.75”
Untitled Lockers 2013
Untitled, 2013

Untitled, 2013

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 52" x 61.75"
Statue Of Liberty c. 1982:2008
Statue of Liberty, c. 1982/2008

Statue of Liberty, c. 1982/2008

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 3 46.5" x 55"
Showroom c. 1985
Showroom, c.1985

Showroom, c.1985

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, AP 28.75" x 37.25"
Classroom mid-1980s
Classroom, mid-1980s

Classroom, mid-1980s

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 5 31" x 39.5"
Model Living Room 1996
Model Living Room, 1996

Model Living Room, 1996

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 5 46.5" x 55"
Corporate Office 1976
Corporate Office, 1976
Corporate Office, 1976

artwork detail

Corporate Office, 1976

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, AP 30" x 38"
Untitled 2002:2012
Untitled, 2002/2012

Untitled, 2002/2012

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 3 76.5" x 91.25"
Untitled 2013
Untitled, 2013

Untitled, 2013

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 52" x 61.75"
Untitled (Two Lights) 2003:2012
Untitled, 2003/2012

Untitled, 2003/2012

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 52" x 61.75"
Untitled 2013
Untitled, 2013

Untitled, 2013

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 52" x 61.75"
Untitled 2013
Untitled, 2013

Untitled, 2013

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 52" x 61.75"
Laboratory 1999
Untitled, 1999/2012

Untitled, 1999/2012

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 3 76.5" x 91.25"
Waiting Room 1977
Waiting Room, 1977

Waiting Room, 1977

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 20 18" x 22"
Exhibition Hall 1977
Exhibition Hall, 1977

Exhibition Hall, 1977

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, AP 30" x 34"
Skating Rink 1978
Skating Rink, 1978

Skating Rink, 1978

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, 30" x 34"
Untitled 2011
Untitled, 2011

Untitled, 2011

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 52" x 61.75"
Untitled 2011
Untitled, 2010

Untitled, 2010

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 43" x 50.75"
Untitled 2011
Untitled, 2009

Untitled, 2009

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 50.75" x 43"
Untitled 2011
Untitled, 2011

Untitled, 2011

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 52" x 61.75"
Untitled 2011
Untitled, 2009

Untitled, 2009

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 3 76.5" x 91.25"
Untitled 2011
Untitled , 2010

Untitled , 2010

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 43" x 50.75"
Untitled 2011
Untitled, 2011

Untitled, 2011

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 3 61.5" x 76.5"
Untitled 2008
Untitled, 2008

Untitled, 2008

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 39.5" x 47.25"
Untitled 2008
Untitled, 2008

Untitled, 2008

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 39.5" x 47.75"
Untitled 2008
Untitled, 2008

Untitled, 2008

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 39.5" x 46.75"
Untitled 2008
Untitled, 2008

Untitled, 2008

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 39.5" x 46.75"
Untitled 2008
Untitled, 2008

Untitled, 2008

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 43" x 50.75"
Untitled 2008
Untitled, 2008

Untitled, 2008

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 39.5" x 46.75"
Untitled 2008
Untitled, 2008

Untitled, 2008

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 39.5" x 46.75"
Untitled 2008
Untitled, 2008

Untitled, 2008

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 39.5" x 46.75"
Untitled 2008
Untitled, 2008

Untitled, 2008

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 43" x 50.75"
Untitled 2008
Untitled, 2008

Untitled, 2008

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 47.5" x 38.75"
Lynne Cohen Untitled 2007
Untitled, 2007

Untitled, 2007

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 52" x 61.5"
Lynne Cohen Untitled 2007
Untitled, 2007

Untitled, 2007

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 52" x 61.5"
Lynne Cohen Untitled 2007
Untitled, 2007

Untitled, 2007

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 52" x 61.5"
Lynne Cohen Untitled 2007
Untitled, 2007

Untitled, 2007

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 52" x 61.5"
Lynne Cohen Untitled 2007
Untitled, 2003

Untitled, 2003

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 52" x 61.5"
Lynne Cohen Untitled 2007
Untitled, 2007

Untitled, 2007

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 52" x 61.5"
Lynne Cohen Untitled 2007
Untitled, 2007

Untitled, 2007

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 52" x 61.5"
Lynne Cohen Untitled 2007
Untitled, 2007

Untitled, 2007

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 52" x 61.5"
Lynne Cohen Untitled 2007
Untitled, 2007

Untitled, 2007

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 52" x 61.5"
Lynne Cohen Untitled 2007
Untitled, 2007

Untitled, 2007

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 52" x 61.5"
Lynne Cohen Untitled 2007
Untitled, 2007

Untitled, 2007

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 52" x 61.5"
Lynne Cohen Untitled 2007
Untitled, 2006

Untitled, 2006

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 42.75" x 52"
Lynne Cohen Untitled 2007
Untitled, 2007

Untitled, 2007

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 43" x 50"
Lynne Cohen Untitled 2007
Untitled, 2007

Untitled, 2007

Lynne Cohen
c-print, ed. of 5 43" x 50.5"
Private Office, 1977
Private Office, 1977

artwork detail

Private Office, 1977

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 5 20" x 24"
Office and Showroom, ca.1977
Office and Showroom, ca.1977

artwork detail

Office and Showroom, ca.1977

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 10 30" x 34"
Spa, 2000

Spa, 2000

Lynne Cohen
dye coupler print, ed. of 5 48.25" x 62.25"
Classroom, 1993

Classroom, 1993

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 10 47" x 54"
Laboratory, 1994

Laboratory, 1994

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 5 29.5" x 37.5"
Classroom, 1985

Classroom, 1985

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 5 29.5" x 37.5"
Untitled, c. 1970

Untitled, c. 1970

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 4 18" x 20"
Untitled, c. 1970

Untitled, c. 1970

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 4 18" x 20"
Untitled, c. 1980

Untitled, c. 1980

Lynne Cohen
gelatin silver print, ed. of 4 18" x 20"